A decent book that recalls some of the history and analysis of the supermarket wars in the UK, but not a patch on Joanna Blythman's 'Shopped' which I'A decent book that recalls some of the history and analysis of the supermarket wars in the UK, but not a patch on Joanna Blythman's 'Shopped' which I'd recommend reading instead because it's more thoroughly researched and indepth than this one....more

An incredible account of investigative journalism into Britain's use of torture which covers the pre WW2 and Cold War eras, right up until the post 9/An incredible account of investigative journalism into Britain's use of torture which covers the pre WW2 and Cold War eras, right up until the post 9/11 situation we're in now. Whilst the subject itself is heavy going and deeply disturbing, Cobain writes in such an accessible way that you almost feel like you're reading a fictional crime novel when it's actually all recently declassified fact.

In Cruel Britannia you'll find out about Britain's involvement in just about every incident of torture ever recorded (seriously, it seems like we taught others how to do it first). The accounts of torture are recorded from survivors of the secret interrogation camps during WW2 and the Cold War, the Mau Mau Uprising, and from those who were unlucky enough to get wrapped up in the post 9/11 hysteria, the fact is horrifying. Cobain also dedicates a good portion of the book to the infamous 'Five Techniques' of torture and particularly hones in on their usage during the IRA/ Northern Ireland conflict.

As well as the obvious, there's the usual accounts of dirty politics, dodgy laws, smear campaigns against those who tried to whistleblow / speak out about torture, enormous amounts of money being wasted, lots of bureaucracy and more cover ups than I thought could be possible. ...more

From the blurb, I was expecting Herd to be another shallow, capitalist-minded rave about influencing consume[Read for PR & Business Ethics module]

From the blurb, I was expecting Herd to be another shallow, capitalist-minded rave about influencing consumers and getting them to buy, buy, buy. Instead, it delves much deeper into the human psyche and looks at the natural patterns within society that bring people together, how they interact with one another, but most importantly, why we do what we do. Earls begins by introducing a couple of key points that make people the way they are; for example how Culture promotes Intelligence, the genetic closeness of humans and apes, the ways in which babies copy those around them which shapes their development, how depression affects us etc.

Further on in the book, he develops on these points and elaborates on them in subsequent chapters, linking them to how this basic knowledge of human nature can shape the way marketers and PR people can use it for their businesses. Whilst this is obviously the aim of the game, I would also recommend it to those who work with charities, NGOs, grassroots groups, as way in which they can help promote their causes to the public arena. In turn, activists may find some of the human interaction tips useful when they're planning gatherings of people etc.

Whilst I like the friendly, chatty nature of this book, it does get a bit repetitive at times, so it's one to pick up and read in parts.

An interesting book about censorship and free speech, which has a strong emphasis on British libel laws and the subsequent problems that people face wAn interesting book about censorship and free speech, which has a strong emphasis on British libel laws and the subsequent problems that people face when they go up against them.

Cohen uses some well known examples to clarify his points such as the backlash that Salman Rushdie experienced when he published The Satanic Verses, and how bankers were allowed to bring about the 2008 recession crisis because many whistleblowers were suppressed through the courts to keep their mouths shut.

There's also a good section on the pros and cons of free speech on the internet, and a brief advice section for citizens detailing what action they can take to become freer. ...more

Amy Goodman is a heroine of mine. I've been in awe of her investigative, truthful journalism for years and I'm an avid viewer of the Democracy Now! shAmy Goodman is a heroine of mine. I've been in awe of her investigative, truthful journalism for years and I'm an avid viewer of the Democracy Now! show. The Silenced Majority is a collection of her columns and short articles spanning the last five or so years split into sections such as 'Obama's Wars', 'Money in Politics', 'Climate Change', 'Wikileaks and the Crackdown on Dissent', 'Capital Punishment' and 'Stop The Violence' to name a few.

This book is a good one to dip in and out of if you want to find out more about a specific current affair, or to use as a reference guide/starting point, as each column is only around two pages long. The 'Luminaries' section is also great for finding out about activists/campaigners who you may not have come across before or hadn't yet heard of.

My only slight criticism is that I wish the columns had been put into some kind of chronological order because some of the articles have a tendency to overlap and repeat themselves in the sections.

Sharp's essay on how non-violent political defiance can help people overthrow dictators has been translated into many languages and distributed aroundSharp's essay on how non-violent political defiance can help people overthrow dictators has been translated into many languages and distributed around the world by those wishing to live under fair and just democracies. In this book, he lays out the many ways in which anyone can participate to bring about tangible change in easy to read, broken down sections. Whilst some of his writing does get a bit repetitive, most of it was very interesting and has helped to change my mindset on a number of things.

Despite considering myself as being socialist/anarchist minded when it comes to these matters, I've always struggled with understanding how non-violence can bring about a revolution. Perhaps I'm just part of a generation who has been fed too many images and video feeds of unarmed protesters being beaten to death by police and the military, who knows?

Anyway, this particular book has really helped me to come to terms with why non-violence should always be used over other methods and I appreciated Sharp's distinction between what he calls 'political defiance' (e.g non-violent struggle applied defiantly, thus not submissively), and pacifism, the latter of which I've always had issues with....more

A powerful and highly emotive account of how people are forced to live their lives in North Korea. Demick tells the personal stories of several peopleA powerful and highly emotive account of how people are forced to live their lives in North Korea. Demick tells the personal stories of several people who have managed to escape in a way that is easy to relate to (in terms of falling in love, being young, wanting to get a good job and education etc) but at the same time, completely alien because of how the dictatorship runs everything (no freedom, mass censorship, famine etc).

Despite the overall grim subject matter of a nation of oppressed people, Demick's writing style makes it accessible to read throughout with the use of short chapters and fascinating true life tales. Some parts are incredibly hard to read through, especially the chapters that deal with the horrendous famine of the 90s, so it took me some time to get through it all. It's a real eye opener to how hopeless some parts of the world are when they are ruled under such vicious dictatorships. I only hope that for the people of North Korea, that rule ends soon.

After reading so many dense, and frankly dull, books based around activism and politics this year, The Leaderless Revolution felt like a breath of freAfter reading so many dense, and frankly dull, books based around activism and politics this year, The Leaderless Revolution felt like a breath of fresh air. It's an easy to read and fully accessible book for anyone new to activism who is looking for a few pointers on how to get the ball rolling, whether through individual choices or collectively (though the problems of trying to do things on your own are briefly discussed). I also enjoyed the interesting background info of Carne's previous life as a British diplomat which is present throughout the book and made it even more pleasurable to read....more

Leila Khaled: Fighting For Palestine serves as a brilliant introduction to anyone who has ever wanted to know more about Leila and for such a thin booLeila Khaled: Fighting For Palestine serves as a brilliant introduction to anyone who has ever wanted to know more about Leila and for such a thin book (it's under 200 pages), there's a hell of a lot of information crammed into it! It offers an accessible insight into her fascinating life of struggling to bring the plight of the Palestinians to a worldwide level (from the infamous 1969 and Black September hijackings to her current day awareness talks around the globe). It's also interesting from a feminist POV as Irving dedicates a chapter to looking at the challenges Khaled faced being a female activist in a male dominated society. ...more

Not one of Chomsky's best books as it's not as accessible as his other works, but still an informative and well referenced book nonetheless. It looksNot one of Chomsky's best books as it's not as accessible as his other works, but still an informative and well referenced book nonetheless. It looks at American politics, its foreign policy and history, and it's devastating impact on the growing dominance that the US holds over the rest of the world....more

Occupy is a brief recap of some of Chomsky's speeches and thoughts at the time of the 2011 Occupy movement in the US. If you're already familiar withOccupy is a brief recap of some of Chomsky's speeches and thoughts at the time of the 2011 Occupy movement in the US. If you're already familiar with Chomsky's political mindset, then this is much of the same, but if you're new to it, you'll find it a good little introduction to his ideas on anarchism and how people can organise for change in society.

At the end of this edition, there's a particularly moving tribute to the wonderful Howard Zinn and a brief Q&A offering legal advice to activists in the US....more

An extraordinary memoir of the author's time in Palestine, which reads like a part-diary, part-history, part-political, part- travel survival guide. LAn extraordinary memoir of the author's time in Palestine, which reads like a part-diary, part-history, part-political, part- travel survival guide. Like many in the West, I've been largely oblivious to the horrors of what goes on in the 'Occupied Territories' and this book tells it like it is, warts and all. To live under such oppression and violence is unimaginable for me, but this book illustrates it quite clearly in a way that anyone can relate and understand to some degree. Fast Times In Palestine is obviously a difficult and highly emotional book to read and there were countless times where I could only read a few pages at a time and I had to put it down. Reading accounts of mindless shootings of children by Israeli soldiers, women being forced to give birth at checkpoints because some soldier just felt like not letting them through, the house raids, bombings, the ever present and ominous Wall, livelihoods and futures being destroyed, it all takes it toll but it's an important account that needs to be read by as many people as possible.

As well as the simply atrocious things that happen and continue to happen, the book also illustrates the kindness, the hospitality and the sheer will to carry on living a normal life, by the Palestinians. With this, we are also greeted with descriptions of beautiful surroundings and delicious food.

I would recommend this book as a starting point to anyone interested in Palestine. I only hope that one day the Palestinian people will have the freedom that we in the West take for granted. #peaceforpalestine...more

I first read No Logo a couple of years ago when I was a teenager getting into all sorts of political activism. I remember crying profusely many times,I first read No Logo a couple of years ago when I was a teenager getting into all sorts of political activism. I remember crying profusely many times, screaming at anyone who would listen about the atrocities that I had read about and how horrible and unfair everything is. Re-reading No Logo several years later at the age of 24 isn't much different (though I like to think I've toughened up on the crying, and replaced it with anger and an even stronger dislike for corporations and authority). Although much of its content is now 'technically out-of-date', has the world really changed that much, if at all? The problems and social issues that this book detailed are still here in 2011: sweatshops, economic processing zones, poverty in the first and third worlds, the big guy screwing over lots and lots and lots of little guys, consumerism gone mad, corrupt governments who happily turn blind eyes in exchange for wads of cash etc, which is why I think No Logo still holds up and is relevant today. It still serves as a good introduction to anyone interested in how the world really works. Hopefully it will still inspire readers to read further about the issues discussed and perhaps get involved in ways to make some changes. "Another world is possible"....more

Stiglitz's Pulitzer Prize winning manifesto, Globalization And Its Discontents has been recommended to me numerous times and it's been an excellent coStiglitz's Pulitzer Prize winning manifesto, Globalization And Its Discontents has been recommended to me numerous times and it's been an excellent companion for the Economics based dissertation that I've been writing recently for Uni. In this book, Stiglitz outlines that many of the problems that we automatically associate with Globalization (inequality, poverty, injustice, unemployment etc) are actually related to the management of certain policies which are dictated and imposed on the world by the IMF and World Bank, rather than 'Globalization' itself.

Stiglitz argues that Globalization has many benefits such as better prices for consumers, more effective products and services, flexibility of work etc, and he discusses how it can be used for the good of society in providing better global healthcare and education. However, the current system of Globalization is based on too much textbook economics, powered by a greedy few and the vested interests of the IMF and World Bank. This is what has led to the past economic crashes as politicians and the powers that be ignore the fragile social capital and instead bury their hands in the sand about how capitalism can be linked to poverty and mass unemployment. He also explains many of the problems with the IMF and how poorly they have advised developing countries around the world.

Whilst I found the book interesting, it is very repetitive but the chapters are themed well and cover a range of subjects from The East Asia Crisis of the late 90s to why China has triumphed financially over Russia. The main summary I got from Stiglitz is that Globalization can be a force of good, but only when done properly and with the proper regulations and financial institutions in place to stop people getting greedy. Globalization can only work with these in place and with a respect and understanding of society and people, rather than following textbook formulas and percentage signs....more

"Just one kilo of heroin distributed at street level can generate 220 victims of burglary and 220,000 worth of property stolen by addicts to fuel thei"Just one kilo of heroin distributed at street level can generate 220 victims of burglary and £220,000 worth of property stolen by addicts to fuel their habit."

This Is Heroin is a great introduction that is accessible for anyone to read about this notorious drug. It's split into five main sections; Culture, World, History, Health and Money and has an obligatory street slang glossary at the back. The book is generally well written (it is a bit repetitive in places) but I would say that the last two sections dealing with Health and Money were the most interesting. There are personal accounts and justified insights into the legalization of Heroin, which is what I was researching for and found very helpful....more

Despite this book coming out in 2005, Helena Kennedy's Just Law provides a great recap for information on many of the key and prominent changes to civDespite this book coming out in 2005, Helena Kennedy's Just Law provides a great recap for information on many of the key and prominent changes to civil liberties that have happened in the UK in recent years, as well as providing a good historical base for why changes have been made and by whom. I particularly found the chapter on 'Criminalising The Poor' to be still relevant when discussing and drawing conclusions on the current state of sanctions imposed upon benefit claimants, and the chapter called 'The Great Prison Scandal' makes some excellent points on the failings of the prison system....more

Sold Out is an interesting look at how supermarkets have come to radically change the way that we shop. This book attempts to educate readers about thSold Out is an interesting look at how supermarkets have come to radically change the way that we shop. This book attempts to educate readers about the social and environmental impacts and looks at whether this way of shopping is sustainable or something that we need to move away from. In short, straight to the point chapters, Sold Out gives introductionary insights on a range of hotly debated topics. Some of these include: how supermarkets deal with suppliers and farmers, the devastating effects they have had on our local communities and UK agriculture practices, how they treat employees and foreign workers, their abuse of power and environmental consequences.

I'd recommend this to anyone interested in finding out more about supermarkets and consumerism; read it and make up your own mind about whether you'll continue to shop with the 'Big Four' (Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys & Morrisons). Do bear in mind though that this was published in 2004, so some of the info is a little dated, but it's ideal as a starting point to cover basics with. ...more

Given Tesco's recent revelations of overinflated profits and hideous accounting, it seemed appropriate to revisit Andrew Simms' damning analysis of thGiven Tesco's recent revelations of overinflated profits and hideous accounting, it seemed appropriate to revisit Andrew Simms' damning analysis of this superpower business. I first read Tescopoly when it was released back in 2007 and it made me rethink a lot of my consumer decisions, many of which I still stick by today. Simms does a fantastic job of picking apart the finer details of how Tesco became so big and how it used its arsenal of bullying and super-buyer tactics to dominate cities and towns across the UK and undercut small, independent businesses (and then put up costs once they had gone out of business). Re-reading it now, much of the information doesn't sound as shocking as we've come to understand more about how Tesco work, but it's still an interesting book to pick up if you'd like some more references etc. ...more

Shopped is the best book I have read so far on the evils of supermarket empires. It is set out in concise anger inducing chapters that detail every h Shopped is the best book I have read so far on the evils of supermarket empires. It is set out in concise anger inducing chapters that detail every horrendous act of greed and exploitation you can imagine. If it is unethical and puts someone out of business, you can count on it being a primary practice of a supermarket. A handful of topics that Shopped covers are:

-'fake' consumer choice (not only are supermarkets generally MORE expensive than independents, they also only offer the consumer a limited range of items - have a look, it's the same stuff just repackaged! Add to that the hypocrisy of 'fresh' bakeries and deli counters which are actually from frozen and simply defrosted and put out on display - check the labels!).

- screwing over farmers and suppliers with ridiculous demands, no contracts, and asking for big cash payments up front for things that only benefit and enhance the profit margins of the supermarkets.

- overuse of chemical pesticides merely for cosmetic reasons on fruit and veg.

- destroying British horticulture and British jobs / ways of life by sourcing more and more inferior products from abroad and then flying them all over to be sold as 'fresh' when bananas/mangoes have been sitting around for about ten days etc.

- pitiful wages and benefits for supermarket employees.

- bribing Councils and Government to 'buy' planning permission, despite growing public pressure against more being built.

- the making of 'Tesco Towns' where a supermarket has killed off the soul of a community.

And so on. If you want an intelligent book that will make you seethe with utter rage, then Shopped will become your bible. Though it was published in 2003/4, it's points are still relevant and it's pretty scary to see so many of its warnings of supermarket power come to fruition now in 2011.

This book may be doom and gloom but at the back, it does provide the reader with a section of simple social and political things they can do because at the end of the day, if we all STOPPED shopping in supermarkets, then maybe the evil empire will fall a lot sooner. One helpful thing to remember is that if you only switched 5% of your shopping away from supermarkets, then that alone would make a difference which IMO is very worthwhile and something we could all do easily.

An eye-opening book which is accessible for almost everyone to read without too much trouble and a great introduction to many topics surrounding the pAn eye-opening book which is accessible for almost everyone to read without too much trouble and a great introduction to many topics surrounding the politics of Power. Packed within these 400 pages, Chomsky discusses US foreign policy & US politics in general, Israel, Palestine & the Middle East, histories of labour and social movements, propaganda techniques of the mainstream media, the military-industrial complex and the UN to name just a few. He also talks about activism and the need for people to get together and mobilize for change (I found Chapter 6 especially interesting for this). Chomsky doesn't offer answers to the difficult questions, only suggestions as it's up to people to decide what they want for themselves and their futures - no-one should ever make those decisions for you, and I really admired that.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to find out what's really going on in the world and why.

P.S The extensive footnotes that are online which accompany the book are also incredibly useful and thorough. ...more